Apparatus for marking cans and the like.



J. S. HAMM. APPARATUS FOR MARKING cANs AND THE LlKE. APPLICATION FILED AUGJ 19|?.

L'YP Patented May 2l, 1.918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET i.

J. S. BAKER. APPARATUS FOR MARKING CANS AND HE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJ. l9l?.

Patented May 21, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

BCV

JOHN IB-AXIEIB', 0F LOS A,NGELES, CALIFORNIA APPARATUS FOR MARKING CAN S AND THE LIKE.

Lesmo?.

Specication of Letters Patent.

` i Application led August 7, 1917. Serial No. 184,935.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN S. BAKER, a citizen 0f the United States residing at Los Angeles, in the county of 1210s Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Markin Cans and the like; and I hereby declare t at the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to mechanism for automatically marking packages or cans, and the like, as such cans are carried past the marking apparatus by a suitable conveyer he invention provides a novel marking apparatus particularly well adapted for use in connection with machines for packaging goods, and especially designed for use in canneries. The marking apparatus can be located at any desired point beside the can runway or conveyer so that the cans are marked as they are `moved therepast. Usually, after the goods are packed 1n the cans they are stored in warehouses before shippin out to the trade, and it is necessary to put identification marks on cans before acking same in order to identify the di erent kinds, and different grades of goods.

In general practice cans containin different goods are vall stored together, an if each can did not have a proper identification mark on it, it would be impossible to know whatthe cans contained, therefore usually all cans are marked on the outside with ink; some packers use different letters; and some use just an arbitrary number of lines on the sides of the cans to identify the contents.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable others skilled in the art to understand and use the same;- and summarize in the claims the essential features and combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of marking mechanism embodyirg the invention, applied to a portion o a can-way, which latter can be of any suitable construction.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of such mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

a complete vFig. 4 is a detail view of a liner attachment for the marker.

The cam-way or duct along which the cans or packages are moved may be of any suitable construction; as shown, it is composed of opposite L-irons 1 along which the cans are moved by a oonveyer 1"', which may bevof any suitable construction, such as are commonly employed in canneries or in other places w ere packaged goods or cans are handled; in the example shown the cans stand on end upon the conveyer.

The novel marking devices are attached to the side of the can-way, at any desired point, and as shown comprise a marking wheel 2 rotatably mounted upon a swinging arm 3, pivoted on a bracket 4, which is attached to the side of the can-way, or other suitable support adjacent the side of the canway; and the marking wheel being supplied with ink from a roll 5 mounted on a lever 5a pivoted on the lever 3 as hereinafter eX- plained. i

The lever 3 is pivoted on the bracket 4: at 3a and is normally impelled in the direction to move the markin wheel 2 toward the can-way by any suita le means; preferably, as shown, by means ofa cord or cable 6 attached at one end 6a to a short arm 3* on they lever 3 and passin over a roller 6a mounted on a stud 4 attac ed to the bracket 4 and attached at its lower end to a weight 6b.

The marking wheel 2 is preferably formed with a kseries of radially disposed sockets or recesses 2a on its upper side, in which are fixed marking stamps 7, which may be of anyl suitable construction, and as shown may be retained in the sockets by means of pins 7 as indicated in the drawings. These stamps may be readily changed to suit the kind of goods marked. The marking wheel preferab y has a peripheral frictional band 2l of rubber or other suitable material on its periphery adapted to contact with the cans in the can-wa as they pass the wheel.

As shown, t marking wheel 2 has a stub shaft 2c which is rotatably journaled in abearing 3c near the'outer end of the lever 3. The periphery of the wheel 2 is adapted to project into the can-way through an opening or slot 1 in the adjacent side thereof, as indicated in the drawings, bein 'eldingly pressed inward by the action o t e weight 6b upon lever 3. The inward movement of the marking wheel may be limited and regulated by means of a screw 8 tapped through Patented May 2r, wie. l

oted at 5"- on the ever 3 and to its outerv end lis connected one end of a contractile sprin 9, the other end of which is attached to a ug on the lever 3 as shown. This spring 9 will hold the roll 5 yieldingly 1n contact with the stamp wheel 2. The movement of the ink roll 5 toward the stam lWheel is regulatable by a screw 10 tapp through an ear 3 on lever 3, and screw 10 can be locked in adjusted position by means of a nut 10.

The ink roll 5 preferably comprises a hollow ink holder 5 surroundedby a felt pad 5', and the holder 5 may be provided with numerous small perforations 5B to allow the ink to work out and be absorbed by the felt pad 5', by which it is supplied to the stamps or liners. The ink roll can also be easily lifted off the lever 5 andlreplaced so that it can be readily cleaned or repaired.

The ink roll can be adjusted by bolt 10 to give any desired amount of ink to stamps to make heavy or light impressions, this being important when using different inks, in hot and cold weather. l

The lever 3 is pivoted on bracket 4 preferably by means of a stub having shaft 3'* stepped at its lower end in an arm 4 on bracket 4, and having its upper end guided in an eye 4 on the bracket 4 ,as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The lever 3 may be adjustably mounted on the stub shaft 3 and can be secured thereon when adjusted by means of said bolts 3f. This enables the stamp wheel to be adjusted to operate at dilferent points on the cans.

Attached to the side of the can-way opposite the-marking wheel is an adjustable can guide plate 11, which may be secured to brackets 1 attached to the side of the canway 1, by means of bolts 11". Said plate 11 is preferably slotted as at 1ll to permit it to be adjusted toward or from the wheel 2'. The receiving end' of this guide plate is preferably tapered as at 11.

The guide plate 11 is adjusted in or out as required to suit different diameters of cans. It is shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, adjusted for large size cans C and in dotted lines adjusted for smaller sized cans C. Of course, cans of a uniform size are supposed to be passed through the machine at any one time. As these cans pass the marking Wheel, which carries the stamps, they contact with the rubber band 2 and revolve the wheel by frictional contact therewith,

the wheel moving outl and in as the lcan. passes, and the wheel as it turns brings a stam into contact with the side of the can, whic imprints the can as it passes; and as the can passes the wheel is held ieldingly in contact therewith by the weight 6l. As the wheel revolves the stamps pass and contact with the roller\5. Screw G is adjusted to permit the marking wheel to project into can-way a suiicient distance to insure the proper length of contact between the can and marking wheel according to the size of the cans, in order to bring only one stamp into contact with each can, as the larger the diameter of the can the more contact surface it has and therefore the wheel will have to be adjusted farther from the can-way for large cans, and nearer for small cans.

The guideell is adjusted so that there is just enough room between the guide and can-way side for the cans to pass, the guide preventing the can from being ushed away v,by the markin wheel. When t e can comes in contact wit the frictional band on the marking Wheel the wheel is turned in the direction of the arrow Fig. 1, and as the can travels on the marking wheel rolls around the can and marks same and moves back into place as the canpasses. The length of contact of the can and wheel is regulated by the screw 8, the marking wheel eing permitted to enter the can-way as far as is necessary toinsure that the contact of the can with the wheel will onl turn it suliiciently to mark one stamp on t e can.

In this machine the marking wheel is operated by. frictional contact with the'cans, which makes it practical'on any sized can;

the marking wheel swings to and from thecan in order to obtain full contact and the proper length of contact of the stamp therewith, and no timing device is required for the marking wheel, as each can turns the marking wheel the necessary circumferential distance to make one stamp on the can.

Some packers instead of uslng stamps or printing the names, numerals or letters on the cans, simply indicate the different kinds of goods by marking lines on the side of the can. In such cases the marking wheel 2 may be removed and the liner wheel shown in Fig. 4 substituted therefor.

he liner wheel shown in Fig. 4 comprises a disk 2n having a shank 2'adapted to fit into the socket 3 1n lever 3, when wheel 2 is removed. This disk 2 hasa frictional marker band 2P on its periphery which is adapted to contact with the can, indicated at C?, as the latter passes the marking wheel, and mark a line or strip, indicated at c, on the can; the marker band 2p being supplied with ink from the roller. Thel disk 2n has a central stud or post 2I and a side post or linger 2f; and a series of interchangeable marking disks 2*l are provided, each having marking band; one or more of these in disks 2* tacts same can,

a peripheral marln'ng surface similar'to the can be placed on the disk 2, as in icated in Fig. 4, so as to apply any desired number of stripesl C to the cans as they pass.

The markin disks 2 can be readily laced markon or taken o of the disk 2, and in t e example lshown any number of lines from 1 to by the use of 6 can be made on the can C2 this liner wheel. The canner, when he so can replace the marking wheel 2 with the liner wheel. In my marker the can operates same by contact as it passes. The stamp wheel does not revolve until can conwhich prevents an over supply the gumming of stain s from same', and also insures a perfect mar on the as the weight causes a yielding pressure of the marking wheel or lineragainst the can which makes the stamp or liner sure to revolve if the can moves. If the can stops the wheel stops, and there is no blurring.

In canneries the cans do not pas: along the canning lines in regularly shaped order. or time, but this does not aiect the operation of my liner which only operates when a can moves therepast.

I claim:

l. In combination a canway, means for moving cans therethrough, a lever pivoted beside the canway, a marking wheel provided with changeable marking devices mounted upon said lever, means for causing said lever to yieldingly move the marking wheel toward the canway,means for limiting the inward movement of the marking wheel; a second lever pivoted on the first lever, -a

desires,

of ink an rotatable inking roll mounted on one end of marking wheel to cause the cans to properly contact with said marking wheel.

2. In a marking apparatus, the combination of a canway, means for moving cans' therethrough, a bracket attached to the canway, `a shaft pivoted in said bracket, a lever adjustably mounted on said shaft, a marker mounted on the free end of said lever, means for swinging said lever to hold the marker yieldingly in the canway, and means for inking the marker, means for limiting the inward movement of the marker, and means opposite the marker to cause thel cans to properly contact therewith.

3. In a marking apparatus, the combination of a canway, means for moving cans therethrough; a bracket attached to the canway, a sha t pivoted in said bracket; a lever adjustably mounted on said shaft, a markv ing Wheel mounted on the free end of said lever, means for swinging said lever to hold the marking wheel yieldingly in the canway, and means for inking the marking wheel,

means for limiting the inward movement of -ing the lever so as to project the wheel into the way in position to be frictionally engaged with and turned by passing cans, mea ns for arresting the inward movement of said lever to insure that each can shall receive only one mark while passing the marker, and means for inking'the wheel,

5. In combination a canway, means for moving cans alon means or moving t e marker yieldingly into the canway and means for regulating the inward movement of the marker to limit-the required length of peripheral contact thereof with dii'erent sizes or cans so as to make only .one mark on each can passing the marker.

6. In combination a canway, means for mov cans along the way, a marker having a plurality of stamps, and means for regulating the inward movement of the marker into the canway to insure a pro er len h of peripheral contact between t e mar er and cans to bring one stamp on the marker into contact with each passing can.

7. In combination a canway, means for moving cans along said way, marking mechanism adjacent the way comprising a yielding marking wheel, a justable means for limiting the movement of the marker into the canway to insure the proper length of peripheral contact between the marking wheel and cans; and adjustable inking means yielding with said marking wheel to` prevent over' inking.J

8. Inv combination, a canway, means for moving cans along the way, marking mechanism adjacent the way comprising a swinging lever, a rotatable marker wheel thereon and adjustable means for limiting the movement of the marker wheel into the canway so that there will be only suiicient peripheral contact between the marker 'and cans to insure that only one mark shall be applied to each passing can.

9. In combination a canway, means for moving cans along the way, a marker having a plurality of stamps, and means for re lating the inward movement of the marelr into the canway to insure such a length of peripheral yielding contact between the marker and cans as will bring one stamp on the marker into contact with each passing can; with adjustable means opposite the marker to position the cans.

10. In combination a canway, means for moving cans along the way; a rotatable said way, a marker,

marker carryin stam s and adapted to be rotated byperip eral riotional contact with the cans means for yieldingly supporting the mar er, and means for adjusting the marker to produce such a length of contact between the peripheries of the marker and cans as will insure that'only one stamp shall be applied to each passing can.

1-1. In combination a canway, a smooth.

conveyer for moving round cans on end along said way, an adjustable marker adjacent said way adapted to engage the round cans, means for yieldabl7 sup orting the marker movable to and rom and means for limiting the movement of sa1d support so as to project the marker into the canway to permlt only such length of peripheral contact Abetween the marker and cans as will insure that only one mark'shall be applied to each passingcan.

In testimony that I clalm the foregoingas my own, I aiix my signature.

JOHN s. BAKER.

t e canwa 

